R. F. Hayes

HAYES, BASSETT, GILRUTH, WESTLAKE, GRIFFIN, DOE, MCEWEN

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 5/5/2004 at 11:42:33

R. F. Hayes, of the firm of Orcutt & Hayes, druggists, Maquoketa, is classed among the leading citizens of this city as a competent business man, possessing a fine tact, a clear head, and an excellent education. He was born in Berea, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. His father, Sylvester Hayes, was also a native of that State, his birthplace being in Licking County. His father, bearing the same name, was a native of New York, descending from an English family, that had been among the early settlers of that State. He removed to Ohio in 1817, and cast in his lot with the few pioneers of Licking County, who had preceded him into the wilderness. He became a large contractor on the Ohio Canal that was constructed between Cleveland and Portsmouth, and he was an extensive land holder in that county. He subsequently moved from there to Franklin County, and settling in Worthington, ten miles north of Columbus, he was actively engaged in the mercantile business a number of years before his death, which occurred in that place. The maiden name of his wife was Fanny Bassett, and she was a native of New York State. She also died in Worthington. The father of our subject was reared in his native State, was there married, and afterward accompanied his father-in-law to Berea, and with him bought lands and mill property. There, in the very prime of life, in 1852, at the age of twenty-seven years, his useful career was brought to a close by his untimely death. The maiden name of his wife, mother of our subject, was Naomi Gilruth, and she was born in Worthington, Ohio. Her father, the Rev. James Gilruth, was a native of Ft. Belleville, W. Va., and was a son of Thomas Gilruth, who came to America from his native Scotland when he was a young man. Marrying here a lady of Scotch birth, he settled with his bride in Ft. Belleville. After residing there some years, about 1796, he removed to Lawrence County, Ohio, and was one of the early pioneers of that part of the State. He bought a large tract of timber land in what was known as the French grant, cleared a part of it, and made his home there until death summoned him to a higher one.

The grandfather of our subject was four years old when his parents settled in the wilds of Ohio, and amid the pioneer scenes of their forest home he grew to a strong and vigorous manhood. He became a convert in his youth to the faith of the Methodist Church, and in due time, entering the ministry, became one of the bright lights of the church. He was a zealous worker, and a born organizer, and was the instrument in establishing many churches of his denomination in various parts of Ohio, and as a pioneer missionary and preacher he was well-known throughout that State. In 1842 he visited Iowa, and entered nearly 3,000 acres of land in different parts of the State, and in 1851 came here to make his home, settling within two and one-half miles of Davenport, and superintended the improvement of his land. He not only had talent as a preacher, but he was a prompt and systematic business man, and gathered together a fine property. He died in 1873, thus closing a serene and active old age, having passed the eightieth milestone that marks man's pilgrimage here below, and leaving to his descendants the precious legacy of the memory of a good, pure, upright life. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Westlake, was a native of West Virginia, and was of English ancestry. She now resides in Scott County at a venerable age. The mother of our subject came to Iowa with her parents in 1852, and lived in Davenport until her second marriage, when she became the wife of Dr. P.H. Griffin, of that city. In 1855 the doctor came to Maquoketa with his family, and opening an office practiced here many years with good success, and is still an honored resident of this city, as is his wife.

The subject of this sketch was but two years old when he accompanied his mother and grandparents to this State. He received the best educational advantages that the State afforded, laying the foundation of his education in the city schools. He then attended Carroll College at Mt. Vernon, and later was a student in Griswold College at Davenport, and being a fine scholar was well fitted for any career that he might adopt after leaving college. At the age of sixteen he commenced to learn the trade of tinner, served three years, and then was engaged as a tinsmith the greater part of the time the ensuing fourteen years. In 1882, he was appointed Deputy Recorder for the county, and in 1884, he was elected County Recorder, was re-elected to the same office in 1886, and served until January, 1889, with distinction. After retiring from public life Mr. Hayes formed a partnership with Mr. Orcutt, and buying an old established drug business, they have since carried it on with marked success. Their store is neatly and tastefully fitted up, and they carry a large stock of drugs and other things usually kept in a first-class pharmacopoeia.

Mr. Hayes and Miss Julia Doe were united in marriage in 1885, and their happy union has been blessed to them by the birth of one daughter, whom they have named Helen. Mrs. Hayes was born in Vermont, and is descended of good New England stock. Her father, Gilman Doe, was a native of Vermont, and his father, Walter Doe, was a native of New Hampshire. He moved from there to Vermont, and from thence to Iowa, and became a resident of Maquoketa, remaining here until his death. Mrs. Hayes' father was reared and married in Vermont, Elizabeth McEwen, a native of Scotland becoming his wife. They came to Maquoketa during the war and still reside here.

By his straightforward, manly ways both in public and private life our subject has contributed to the elevation of the citizenship of his adopted city. His habits are exemplary, his manners courteous, and his popularity is genuine, he having a warm place in the hearts of many friends and acquaintances. He and his wife belong to the Congregational Church, are generous in their contributions to its support, and are active in assisting their fellow-members in carrying on its good work. Mr. Hayes is a member of the Democratic party, and is one of its strongest adherents in this vicinity. He is identified with the K. of P. as a member of Peerless Lodge No. 60.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)